Surveys have shown that 63% of American households have pets. 57% of them said they would consider taking their pet on vacation with them. I myself have two dogs and I prefer to take them with me whilst on vacation. More hotels, bed & breakfast, cottages etc are allowing pets these days. In 2001, 40% of hotels allowed pets but in 2010 that figure had increased to 52%. However, the amount of hotels charging an additional fee for pets has risen from 21% in 2001 to 46% in 2010. Some hotels will take a deposit which will be refunded if the pet behaves well but others charge a non-refundable fee.

Everyone looks forward to going on vacation and as your pet is part of the family why not include your furry friend too. Travelling can be quite stressful for your pet. They should be restrained within the car either by belts, seats, carriers or crates. Should you need to brake suddenly or be involved in a collision it could cause serious injury to you if your pet was not restrained and your pet. Never leave your pet alone in the car for any length of time. On a hot day, with the car stationery, the temperatures inside the car could rise dramatically. This could prove fatal for your pet.

Camping is an ideal vacation that your pet would enjoy. Being in the open air will be preferable than being couped up in a hotel room. However, some camping sites insist on dogs being kept on leashes. It is recommended that you feed your pet 2 or three hours before travelling. If travelling by air, consult with the airline beforehand and follow their instructions. You may need to invest in a carrier for your pet which meets with airline regulations.

Vacations with you pets will require a lot of extra planning. First plan out where you would like to go on holiday then check out pet friendly accommodation. Next plan out how you are going to get there. When you get there, are there activities that your pet can be included in such as walking, hiking, pet friendly beaches etc. Going on holiday with your pet gives you the opportunity to spend quality time together without having work or home responsibilities getting in the way. It can be very rewarding and a memorable experience. Some pets travel well and are friendly when meeting people and other animals. This helps to make the vacation with your pets very enjoyable.